We were actually meant to see Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (or shortened to O.M.D.) in 2013, but due to U.S. Visa issues, the band had to bail out of that tour. Now with their 13th studio album The Punishment Of Luxury (White Noise Records) the 80s synth-pop band will be returning to Minneapolis this March 18th.

As a special bonus, the band is offering a special VIP experience on all U.S. shows. You can finally meet the band, attend their soundcheck and receive exclusive merchandise - including a signed set list of the show they are attending. It will make for an unforgettable night.

Ggoolldd to open. DJ Jake Rudh (from Transmission) will play some synthy 80s music videos before and between sets.

Bristol’s Coasts (not to be confused with ‘britpop’ Coast, Canada’s The Coast, Scottish/English band Coast) is an English rock band formed in 2011.
The English band is touring in support of their self-titled album.
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Former Scorpions and UFO guitarist Michael Schenker is billing his current band as Michael Schenker Fest. The group will be headlining the Cabooze in Minneapolis this Monday. Recently their first album Resurrection came out and featured an all-star guest list: Michael Voss-Schoen, Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet and Robin McAuley, Doogie White (Michael Schenker's Temple Of Rock), Steve Mann (guitars, keyboards), Ted McKenna (drums) and Chris Glen (bass), Kirk Hammett (Metallica), and Wayne Findlay.

Critically acclaimed Montreal rock band The Dears returned with their new album Times Infinity Volume One. This upcoming tour is billed as “acoustic”, and will only feature Murray A. Lightburn (not a full band).

Rogue Wave will be at the Turf Club this Wednesday, March 21st.
We’ve seen the band a few times (the last time in May 2016), but this time, they’ll be performing their entire Asleep at Heaven’s Gate as part of a special 10th anniversary reissue of the record on March 16th. The new release will include four unreleased bonus tracks and a cover of “All You Need Is Love.”

UK’s
The Hunna and Coasts are on a co-headlining tour. Be sure to show up early at the 7th Street Entry on Wednesday (March 21st) to catch Courtship (stylized as Courtship.). Courtship is a duo (Eli and Micah), who recently released their single “Bad Fun” a few months ago, and they are working on releasing their debut album soon.

The first time I ever saw violinist Lindsey Stirling in June 2015, I was blown away by how popular she was. She also handcraft her shows to include set designs, videos, designated dancers, and plenty of nerdy instrumentals. Fans loves her, and her fanbase probably grew one thousand times since I last saw her.

Hot recording duo, Alexander Jean (featuring Mark Ballas and BC Jean), has been asked to open up for Stirling on her “Warmer in the Winter Christmas Tour” tour.

The husband & wife duo has a few #1 on the iTunes’ Singer/Songwriter charts with their debut EP Head High, and with another #1 for debut single ‘Roses and Violets’.

Jeffrey Foucault's new album Salt As Wolves was recorded live in just three days in rural Minnesota. The record is described as moving like a vintage Chess record, with an openness and dimensionality that beckons the listener
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Husband & wife Kris Delmhorst and Jeffrey Foucault will be headlining the Cedar Cultural Center. Their record The Wild came out under Kris Delmhorst’s name, but featured Jeffrey Foucault and members of his band. Although married, the two maintain very different album and touring careers (in fact, Foucault was last seen in Minneapolis on December 2016)… so it’s nice to see that they are co-headlining this current tour.

The co-headlining Thrice and Circa Survive will be taking place at the Myth on Friday. Show up early to check out Balance & Composure and Chon. You may recall how the instrumental band Chon blew us away in August 2016: “They captivated the crowd with their sweeping guitar solos and complicated drum rhythms.”

Chon’s second full-length album Homeyon is out now on Sumerian Records.

Ggoolldd will be stopping by the 7th Street Entry this Saturday, in support of their new Teeth EP. We caught the Milwaukee band in October 2016, and wrote, “Musically, the band like a fun electro/pop dance party. Most of their set included songs from their debut Gold+ album... but their latest single ‘Undercovers’ came out October 7, 2016.”

For the first time her career, local classically trained pianist and composer, Lorie Line will be bringing her traditional Christmas show to St. Paul at the Fitzgerald Theater in St Paul. Her show, “King of Kings” will celebrate the magnificent story and the birth of our Savior.

Har Mar Superstar (aka Sean Tillmann) is back with Best Summer Ever. The album will be available April 15, 2016 on Cult Records, LLC... but you can expect to hear preview of the new songs on this upcoming show on Wednesday
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Har Mar Superstar’s Best Summer Ever is about to end at his homecoming gig this Black Friday, November 25th. We caught the band in April 2016 and wrote, “Har Mar Superstar is a staple in the Minnesota music scene. Even though he moved away for a couple of years, we claimed him as ours. He announced earlier this week that he was moving back and will be calling Minnesota his home again. Little did he know, he really never left as far as his fans were concerned.”

The singer’s latest album Best Summer Ever is out now.

Tickle Torture and Ggoolldd to open. Be sure to show up early to catch Ggoolldd... we caught them in October 2016 and they were truly excellent: “Milwaukee’s Ggoolldd (Margaret Butler, Nick Ziemann, Mark Stewart, Thomas Gilbert, and Nick Schubert) was up next. Singer and dramatic dancer Margaret Butler announced the band’s name, followed by a joke, “It sounds just like how it’s spelled.”... Musically, the band like a fun electro/pop dance party. Most of their set included songs from their debut Gold+ album... but their latest single ‘Undercovers’ came out October 7, 2016.”

What are you doing on Black Friday? Head over to the 7th Street Entry to check out Denver’s The Yawpers is currently on tour in support of their new album American Man (Bloodshot Records). They normally headline, but for these shows, local The4onthefloor (featuring singer Gabe Douglas) will be closing out both the Minneapolis and St Paul show.

For the Turf Club show, in addition to The Yawpers, they will also include a third opening band: The Coax.

Born Ruffians will be in Minneapolis on November 30th, in support of their new album Ruff. They recently released their single and video for "(Eat Sh**) We Did It". Guitarist and vocalist Luke
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Canadian quartet Born Ruffians headlined the 7th Street Entry on October 12th in support of their fourth album Ruff.

Locals Posh Lost (singer/guitarist Jeff Cornell, bassist Jackson Woolsey, drummer Josh Olson, guitarist Sean Neppl, and synth Emmy Carter) opened up the show. Apparently the band used to be called Gloss (who we saw a few times, including 2012 and 2016).

Ggoolldd

Milwaukee’s Ggoolldd (Margaret Butler, Nick Ziemann, Mark Stewart, Thomas Gilbert, and Nick Schubert) was up next. Singer and dramatic dancer Margaret Butler announced the band’s name, followed by a joke, “It sounds just like how it’s spelled.”

Musically, the band like a fun electro/pop dance party. Most of their set included songs from their debut Gold+ album... but their latest single ‘Undercovers’ came out October 7, 2016.

Born Ruffians: Luke Lalonde

Before Born Ruffians (singer / guitarist Luke Lalonde, bassist Mitch Derosier, keys / guitarist Andy Lloyd, and drummer Adam Hindle) took the stage, they had blasted an intro song by Alvvays called ‘Archie, Marry Me’ to get us pumped for the show. Arriving on stage with four circular display that read: “R-U-F-F” in the background. They actually had trouble setting up these things because the 7th Street Entry’s stage is very small and they had to cramped in the letters. Anyway, the lights shining on the circles would randomly change colors from minute to minute.

Their set was mostly songs from their latest Ruff (Yep Roc Records/Paper Bag Records), despite having released three previous albums. This usually tells me that they love the new songs and want people to hear the latest.

We caught Kishi Bashi earlier this June 2016 at Athfest and wrote, “I can’t think of a better headliner to close the festival than Kishi Bashi. This band is pure joy. There is no way you could watch them play and not fall in love with their music, which makes it impossible not to dance. During The Ballad of Mr. Steak, the band was joined onstage by a gigantic T-bone who danced, shook his booty and generally drove the crowd wild. The band’s founder, lead singer and violinist Kaoru Ishibashi radiated love with his dazzling smile and beautiful music.”

We are expecting a delicious dancing steak at this upcoming First Avenue show.

Canadian quartet the Born Ruffians (singer / guitarist Luke Lalonde, bassist Mitch Derosier, keys / guitarist Andy Lloyd, and drummer Adam Hindle) will be headlining the 7th Street Entry on October 12th in support of their fourth album Ruff. The record was recorded in three weeks in Toronto by Jeff McMurrich (Jennifer Castle, The Constantines, Fucked Up) and mixed in New York by Rusty Santos (Animal Collective, Eric Copeland, Owen Pallett).

The band was previously in town last November 2015 and we noted, “They recently released their single and video for ‘(Eat Sh**) We Did It’. Guitarist and vocalist Luke Lalonde explains, ‘The song is very reactionary to something kind of sh**** happening and the feeling of getting over it. It doesn't have to be triumph, sometimes you just want to celebrate your ability to continue on in the face of any adversity. I think telling people to ‘eat sh**’ is a really obnoxious thing. It's something you feel more than you actually say out loud. The song was always meant to be a bit funny. I think the video reflects the weird and funny nature of the song.’”

Nashville’s Judah & The Lion is back in town, supporting their sophomore album Folk Hop N Roll. The record entered the Billboard’s Heatseekers Album Chart at an impressive #2 and #1 on the Heatseekers South Central!
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Judah & the Lion will be in town to help promote St Baldrick’s Foundation and helping Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Sport Clips, Alt 93, KFAN, KDWB, City Pages, Comcast, All Over Media, and Rock the Cause will be there shaving heads to raise money and awareness.

We caught the band in March 2016 and wrote, “All of the music was upbeat and made you want to dance. The lyrics were positive and you couldn't help but smile when you actually listened to them. The feeling that the band gave off to the crowd was nothing short of pure positive vibes.”

Enemy Planes will open.

NOTE: You do not have to participate to the head-shaving thing... unless you think you need a haircut.